However, a rift between Toure and fellow centre-back William Gallas led to his exit.

Wenger opted to sell him to Manchester City for £16million in the summer of 2009 and the defender is on a mission to prove the Gunners were wrong to off-load him.

“I think it’s going to be a great game for me to play,” Toure told the ECHO.

“I had some some great times there and it was a big part of my life.

“Without Arsene I wouldn’t be here. He was the one who saw me. He’s a fantastic manager and gave me my chance to play football in this country.

“But now is not the time to talk about him. He knows I’ve been talking about him all the time.

“It’s always special to go back there but at the same time I want to show on Saturday that Arsenal made a mistake by letting me go.

“I’m going there to fight. I want to show them what I can do and help my team – Liverpool – to win. Right now I don’t want to think about any of the good things that Arsene did for me as I’m focused on getting those three points.”

Four years after he parted company with the Gunners, Toure is out to demonstrate that he’s still one of the top-flight’s most reliable defenders.

The 32-year-old has certainly enjoyed a new lease of life following his arrival at Anfield on a free transfer from Man City.

Toure has firmly established himself in Brendan Rodgers’ side and is relishing the prospect of testing himself against the Premier League pace-setters.

Wenger’s men, who are two points clear of the third placed Reds, boast a wealth of attacking options.

With the likes of Olivier Giroud, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere for company, it will be a major test of Liverpool’s defensive resilience.

“I’ll definitely try to do my best to show them that I’m still a great player,” Toure said.

“But I need to perform for my team – that is the most important thing.

“It’s going to be a fantastic game and it’s a good opportunity for us. I can’t wait for it.

“They have started the season really well but Arsenal have always been a good team.

“No matter what players they’ve had there, they’re always good because they have a great manager. He’s really intelligent and knows what he’s doing.

“Of course it will be difficult but we are a strong team and we have a great manager as well.

“They know that we pose a threat to them too and they know it will be a tough game for them.

“We know it’s going to be a really good game of football and we will give everything we’ve got to win it.”

Toure’s confidence is fuelled by the form of strike duo Luis Suarez
and Daniel Sturridge
, who head for the Emirates having plundered 10 goals between them in the past four matches.

The veteran defender stood and admired their heroics in last Saturday’s 4-1 thrashing of West Brom and admits he’s relieved he doesn’t have to worry about trying to stop them.

“I haven’t seen many better hat-tricks than Luis’ against West Brom,” he said.

“All three were great goals. Both Luis and Daniel are amazing players and there is a great understanding between them.

“I wouldn’t fancy having to mark either of them! When you have players like that in the squad and you train with them every day it makes you even better.

“Saturday was our best performance of the season so far. We controlled the game really well.

“We worked really well as a team and the fans were amazing. The penalty meant we weren’t able to keep a clean sheet but the most important thing was that we got the three points and got back to winning ways again.”

Toure believes Saturday’s clash is a showdown between two genuine title contenders.

Chelsea and Manchester City maybe the bookies’ favourites for the big prize but the centre-back says the table is representative of the quality at the disposal of both Rodgers and Wenger.

“Of course we are (contenders) because we have so many great players,” he added.

“The way we are playing shows that. This is a fantastic club.

“We want to win trophies and we want to win the title definitely.

“Arsenal are contenders too as there are some fantastic people there.

“For us every game is a challenge and Saturday is going to be a great game for us.

“Every week we’ll continue to give 100% and try to do as well as we did against West Brom. We’ll fight and give everything.”

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The Editor

Alastair Machray

Alastair Machray was appointed editor of The Liverpool Echo in 2005 and is also editor-in-chief of Trinity Mirror Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales. He is a former editor of The Daily Post (Wales and England) and editor-in-chief of the company's Welsh operations. Married dad-of-two and keen golfer Alastair is one of the longest-serving newspaper editors in the country. His titles have won numerous awards and spearheaded numerous successful campaigns.